The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-27
SENSATIONAL TRAGEDY.
A PROMINENT ATTORNEY OF
LEBANON KILLED.
The Murderer Interviewed, Says
His Victim Was Too Intl.
mate With His Wife.
ESPECIAL TO THE APPEAL.l

NASHVILLE, Tenn, Jdly ga foul
murder occurred at Lebanon, Tenn,
this morning. Lieut.. ]. 7. Lane, a |
lawyer and one OF the most prominent
citizens, was shot and instantly killed
by n. B. Lester. Lanes cfilce was on
East Main street about block from
the public square. He had risen this
mornir g, and, as was his custom, was
sitting out Of his office door, when Les.
ter came out within about ak steps Of
where Lane was sitting and shot him,
the charge taking effect in Lanes left
side. When he received the charge,
Lane fell from his chair and said
Don't shoot again" Lester stepped
up cloee to Lane, saying: "G-d d-n
you, III kill you," and emptied the
second barrel OF the gun, aiming di.
rectly at his left side, killing him In
stantly. The shooting was witnessed
by several gentlemen.
The coronsr's jury held an inquest,
the verdict OF which was murder in
the first degree. Lester was COM
mitted TO jail without bail and brought
to Nashville for safe keeping. Lester
married a Ms. Gibson. Gibson was q
knight Of Pythias, and had $4,000 In
surance In that order. The money
wsssecured to Gibson's children, and
Lester could not get bold Of 1t. Lieut..
Lane was the agent who had the han
ding OF the money. Lester was very
jealous Of Lane and his wife, and had
threatened to kill him several times
on that account.
Letters HISTORY.
Lester was former resident Of this
city, aud went by the name Of Napo-
leon BoDepart Lester,or Luster. Judge
John q. Fsrrlss taid that soon after his
election as county judge woman,
with Eve or elk little children, came
TO his office and informed him that she
was the wife Of Lester and that he had
deserted her. Judge Ferriss sent the
woman and her children to Columbia
TO friends, and In ak months after.
wards Lester secured divorce from
her, charging de@rtion on her part,
snd proving by two negroes that the
deserted him before.
He af,erSard married O Mics Lea, Of
Davidson county, and when three
children were born TO them he desert
ed her and went to Lebanon. lie
filed bill for divorce, and pending
this married & widow OF Lebanon.
Judge Ferris wrote 10 Judge Cantrell,
Of Lebanon, concerning him and Les.
ter was indicted for bigamy, but GO.
capped on some legal t,chnicality.
Letter married the widow Of AL Glib
SOD, OF Lsbanon, and his treatment OF
her was 30 cruel and inhuman that
abe fled q bill for divorce and engaged
Lieut.. Lane 10 conduct the suit. The
case Is pending In the courts. Lester
is man Of disreputsble character.
Mr.. LANE, THE VICTIM.
Lane was one OF the moe, . pular
lawyers at the Lebanon bar. He
came 10 Lebanon from East Tennes.
see shortly after the war, and engaged
In teaching school. He was elected
and served as county trustee during
the years OF 1869 1911. While filling
this Office be read law and was subse-
quently admitted 10 the bar. He was
q man Of good reputation and had
the confidence aud respect OF the pso-
pie generally Of the county.
LANE INTIMATE WITH LETTERS WIFE.
Lester was brought 10 Nashville and
placed In jail. When seen by the
ArrkAL correspondent, he said
that In April last be fret
learned that bis wife and Lane
had been criminally intimate. When
charged with II his wife at first de-
MED, but subs quently admitted the
truth. She said that Lane had made
insulting proposals 10 her. Shortly
after marriage she repulsed him, but
later Lane promised TO secure for her
q larRs pen lion, due her former hus-
baud. She consented on these terms.
Her son threatened 10 kill Lane II Les.
ter did not. 0n July 18th he made up
his mind 10 kill Lane, and so informed
his wife; but che begged him 10 wait
until they had moved from Lebanon,
preparations for which were then
nearly completed. Lester continued
his story 10 the APrKAL representative;
After breakias, this morning l con-
cluded 10 wait no longer. | took the
shotgun and loaded both barrels with
buckshot. / kisssd my wife and the
seven children good bye before going
out with the gun on my shoulder. Ey.
cry one Of them knew what | proposed
TO do and said II was necessary. Going
on. the rear Of my shop, / stepped out
on the etreet not far from where Lane
was sitting. Walking up 10 him |
said: You scoundrel, yo1 have
ruined and di'graced my family He
made some reply, but ] heard only my
name called before / fred the fret
shot, and quickly aiterward fred the
other barrel into him."
To all appearance, Lester feels ta,is.
fed that bis action was jus.iiiable, and